On this day, we commemorate several profound events in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ: His washing of the disciples’ feet; the institution of the Sacrament of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane; The betrayal by Judas, and the arrest of Christ by the Pharisees.
Traditionally, the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St Basil is celebrated in the morning of Holy Thursday. At this service, the composite Gospel reading recounting all these events is read: Matthew 26:1–20; John 13:3–17; Matthew 26:21–39; Luke 22:43–44; Matthew 26:40–75; 27:1–2. You can find the full reading here: https://www.antiochian.org/epistleliturgicday
In the evening, we gather for the service of Holy Friday Orthros, sung by anticipation on Thursday night. It is commonly referred to as the Service of the Twelve Passion Gospels. It continues the account of our Lord’s suffering, from His arrest through His judgment, beatings, crucifixion, death, burial, and the guarding of His tomb. Here you can find all of the twelve Passion Gospels in one place: https://www.goarch.org/chapel/lectionaryhwth
It is a solemn and moving service. Through the Gospel readings and the hymnography, we are drawn deeply into the mystery and magnitude of our Lord’s love, revealed through His voluntary Passion. The full text of the service: https://antiochianprodsa.blob.core.windows.net/servicetexts/10%20Holy%20Friday%20Passion%20Gospels%20Bilingual.pdf
A particularly powerful moment comes during the reading of the Sixth Gospel (Mark 15:16–32)—the first of the readings describing the Crucifixion. At this point, the clergy process through the church as the bishop (or senior priest) carries the Cross on his shoulder. The solemn Antiphon “Today is hung upon the Tree” is chanted, and the Cross is placed in the centre of the church, where it remains until the next afternoon.
This hymn, though filled with the sorrow of the Cross, already points to the hope of the Resurrection:
Today is hung upon the Tree, He Who did hang the land in the midst of the waters. A Crown of thorns crowns Him Who is King of Angels. He is wrapped about with the purple of mockery Who wrapped the Heavens with clouds. He received buffetings Who freed Adam in Jordan. He was transfixed with nails Who is the Bridegroom of the Church. He was pierced with a spear Who is the Son of the Virgin. We worship Thy Passion, O Christ. Show also unto us thy glorious Resurrection
You can listen to a recording of the hymn here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17wXK24dmPk
Dismissal of the Orthros of Holy Friday:
May He Who endured spittings and scourges, the cross and death, for the salvation of the world, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and allblameless holy Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving cross; by the protection of the honorable bodiless powers of heaven; at the supplication of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable apostles; of our father among the saints, of the holy, glorious and right-victorious martyrs; of our venerable and God-bearing Fathers; of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, the patron and protector of this holy community; of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the saints: have mercy upon us, and save us, forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind.
Amen!